Bending machine



iii-3,443

A. R. KELSO BENDING MACHINE .Ianv 10, 1939.

Filed Nov. 8, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l W IIIIII Il. I .T2-ICM. I l l l l I I l IMM' INVENTOR ALLEN mLso BY i 3' l Q@ M M mm1 ATTORNEYS Jan. 10, 19394. A, R, KELSQ` 2,143,443

BENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 8', 1937 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENroR LEN R. KELso BY 2Q I /L MU WTTORNEYS `Patented Jan. 1Q,` 19394 BENDING MACHINE Allen R. Kelso, Detroit, Mich.,'asslnor to Motor l Products Corporation, poration of New York Detroit, Mich., a cor- 4Applimtion November-v s, 1937', serial No. `173,520

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to bending machines and refers more particularly to ma` chines for'bending strip stock to a predetermined longitudinal contour. I

It is one of the principal objects of this invention to increase the productionof longitudinally contoured strips by providing a machine equipped with means rendering it possible to rapidly andY accurately -bend the strips to the desired longitudinal contour without overstressing or wrinkling the stock during the bending operation.

A further feature of this invention resides in the provision of a machine capable of bending a straight strip of stock having a prefashioned cross sectional contour to form a Aclosed frame of predetermined longitudinal contour without deforming or interfering in anyway with the cross sectional contour of the strip during the bending operation.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, will be made4 more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanyingvdrawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a plan view of a bending machine constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by lthe line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional View taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 4--4 of Figure 2; Flgure'5 is a side elevational view of the bending machine; y A v Figure 6 is a. side elevational view of a garnish molding frame formed from a straight'strip of stock by the machine forming the subject matter. of this invention;

Figure 7 is across sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 'I-l of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-`-8 of Figure 2; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

The machine selected herein for the purpose of illustrating the present invention is' particularly designed to form garnish `molding frames from a straight strip ofr stock having the desired cross sectional contour, although it will be uni derstood` as this .description proceeds that the principles involved in my machine maybe .ad-

vantageosly employed to bend strip stock t'o various different longitudinal contours.

In general, a templet frame I0, corresponding` in shape to thelongitudinal contour of 'the garnish molding frame it is desired to produce, is adjustably secured to the top of a rotatable table II, and a shoe I3 is positioned opposite the perimeter of the templet frame I0 to cooperate with the latter in bending a substantially straight strip of stock around the templet frame. Upon reference to Figure 2, it will be noted that a continuous recess I2 is` formed in the perimeter of the templet frame I0, and that this recess is fashioned to have a cross sectional-contour predetermined to cooperate with'the shoe I3 to effectively engage the strip-'Ato be bent throughout the cross sectional area of the strip.

The sides of the templet frame I0 are nonsymmetrically disposed with `respect to the axis of rotation of the table II and, in order to permit the shoe I3 to' move toward and away from this axis in accordance with variations in the longitudinal contour of the frame, the shoe is 1 engaged with a reciprocableA slide I4. The slide I4 is normally urged toward the templet frame by' compressible means characterized in that it exerts suillcient pressure on the strip of stock to eilectively bend the strip around the templet frame and, at the same time, allows displacement of the shoe relative to the axis of rotation of the table during rotation of the non-symmetrical templet frame relative to the shoe. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, I have shown the compressible means as being in the form of Aan air cylinder I5 having a piston I6 reciprocably mounted therein and operatively connected to the slide I4.

In order to insure properly bending the strip of stock `around the angularly spaced portions oi' the templet framevll, the shoe I3 is fulcrumed on the inner end of the slide I4 for limited swinging movement in the plane of the templet frame. It should also be noted that the shoe Il is articulated in that it is provided with an end section I 'I`pivotally connected tothe rbodyp'ortion of the shoe in such a. manner as to permit the tablef'll from thev point of fulcrum of the. shoe I3 on the inner end oi' the slide. As a re-A suit', the strip is effectively supported throughout its cross sectional during the'interval sov 'the strip is bent around the angmarly extending' sitate telescoping the shoe within the stock, since in instances of this character, it is more expedient to assemblethe shoe with the straight strip of stock prior to introducing the stock into the machine. 1

In the present instance, a strip of stock having the desired cross sectional contour and having a length sufficient to form a closed garnish molding frame is assembled with the shoe by telescopng the latter in one end portion of the stock. The shoe is then assembled on the inner end of the slide I4 and the free end of the stock adjacent the shoe is secured to the templet,l frame by means of a clamp I6. The parts are shown in this position by the full lines in Figure 1, and it will be noted from this iigure that the clamp I8 is carried by one ofthe straight sides of the templet frame. After the strip of stock is secured to the templet frame, the table II is rotated in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 1, and the strip of stock is bent around the perimeter of the templet frame III by the shoe I3. It will, of course, be understood that before-rotation of the table Il is effected. air under pressure is supplied to the air cylinder I5 at the outer side of the piston I6 so that the shoe is yieldably clamped against the strip of stock during the bending operation.

Upon completion of the bending operation, rotation of the table is automatically discontinued by suitable means (not shown), and the piston I6 in the air cylinder I5 ismoved outwardly to release the clamping-pressure exerted on the strip of stock by the shoe I3. This is Veiected by exhausting the iluid pressure in the cylinder I5 at the outer side of the piston and admitting duid pressure into the cylinder at the inner side of the piston. The bent strip, with the shoe I3 in assembled relation therewith, is removed from the machine. and the shoe I3 is slipped off one end of the strip. Upon completion of this latter operation, the table is advanced to its starting position, shown Vby the full lines in'Figure 1, and another straight strip of stock is assembled in the machine.

Referring now more in detail-to the particular construction of the machine, it will be noted from Figure 2 that the table II is provided with a centrally disposed downwardly extending cylindrical portion 20 and that the latter is journailed in a bearing 2| supported in a hub 22. The hub 22 extends through an opening 23 formed in a supporting plate 24 and is provided with a radially outwardly extending ange 25 which is clamped to the top surface of the plate 24 by means of the fastener elements 26.

The table I I is supported in spaced relation to the plate 24 above the latter by means of an annular iiange 21-concentrically arranged with respect to the axis of rotation of-the table and -havingva bearingengagement with the plate 24.

The top of the table is formed with transversely extending grooves 26 which intersect at the axis cf rotation of the table and cooperate with suitable keys 29 on the underside of the templet frame III to rotate the latter as a unit with the to the axis of rotation o! 'the latter and adapted to mesh with a pinion 3l secured to the upper end of a power take-oi! shaft. 32. The power take-off shaft" 32 is iournalled'ln a bearing 33 secured to the plate 24` and is operatively connected to the driven shaft 35 of a speed reducer 36 through the medium of reduction gearing (not shown). The driven shaft 35 is operatively conlnected to the drive shaft 31 of an electric motor 3. Both the electricr motor 33 and the speed reducer 36 are secured to a support 39 forming a part of the machine frame.

It has previously been stated that the compressible means I5 acts upon the slide I4 to permit movement of the shoe toward and away from the axis of rotation of the table ln dependence upon the longitudinal contour of the templet frame Ill to insure effectively clamping the strip of stock against the frame I0 throughout rotation of the latter. In detail, the slide I4comprises a bracket 4I) having laterally outwardly projecting extensions 4I at the outer end thereof secured to the inner ends of longitudinally extending rods 42 which are slidably supported at longitudinally spaced points in bearings 43 secured to the plate 24. The bracket 46 is guided lthroughout its movement toward and away from the axis of rotation 0f thetable I'I by means of rollers 44 secured to the lateral extensions 4I and adapted to engage suitable tracks 45 which are also secured to the plate 24 oi the machine. It will be noted from the above that the bracket 4U isnot only adequately supported on the plate latter axis in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the table, indicated by the arrow B in Figure 1. The piston I8 is reciprocably `mounted in the' cyinder and is connected to the outer end of the bracket 40 by means of a rod 41. The axis of the rod 41 is coincident with the axis 46 of the cylinder and the rod extends through the inner end of the cylinder for connection with the bracket. Air is supplied to and exhausted from the cylinder at opposite sides of the piston by a uid pressure system (not shown herein), but which may be any one of a number of well-known types.

Upon reference to Figure 2, it will be noted that the inner end of the bracket 40 is bifurcated to provide vertically spaced furcations 49 on opposite sides of the axis 46 of the cylinder. The inner end portions of the furcations 49 are apertured to receive a vertical pin 50 having its axis located in a plane, including the axis 46 and adapted to form a fulcrum for the shoe holder 5I. The shoeholder 5I has a channelshaped groove extending longitudinally of the inner side thereof, and the shoe I3 is adapted to besecured in this groove. The outer side of the shoe holder is formed with a V-shaped vertically extending groove 53 having a transversely curved bottom portion adapted to bear against the pin .B and provide for swinging movement the axis ofthe cylinder and, inasmuch as, the axis' 4l is offset laterally from theaxis of rotation of the table H in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of this table, it follows that the bending` pressure is applied to the strip of stock on the templet frame before the stock is advanced through a vertical plane including the axis of rotation of the table and parallel to a plane which includes the axis of ,the cylinder. This arrangementfis particularly advantageous when bending the stock to the general contour noted herein. since by reason of the same, the

rotative action of the templet frame assists in tensioning the strip as it is bent aroundthe templet frame. t

Attention is called to the fact that garnish moldingframes of thetype used in connection with the windows in motor vehiclel bodies are not interchangeable from one side of the body to the other. As a consequence, itis necessary to manufacture both right and left-hand frames. "I'he machine illustrated herein is adjusted for forming garnish molding frames adapted-to beI usedin connection with the windows on the righthand side of the vehicle body, and the relatively.

simple manner in which the machine may be operated to form left-hand molding lframes is a further advantageous feature vof this invention. Upon reference to Figure 1, it will be noted that the opening 23 in the plate 2l for receiving the hub 22 is elongated in a direction transversely of the axis or line of action I6 of the cylinder.

` 'I'he arrangement is such as to permit the hub and table assembly to be shifted from the position thereofr shown in Figure 1 'to a position wherein the axis of rotation of the table assumes a location designated by the reference character B0. This shifting movement of the hub is effected without disturbing the drivingpinion 3| by locating the axis of this pinion in a vertical plane including the axis of the cylinder and by moving the hub along an arc 62 having a radius centered on the Vaxis of rotation of the driving pinion. Thus, the hub and table ass'embly 4is, in eiect, pivoted about the driving pinion until the axis ofrotation of the table assumes the position designated by the point 60 in Figure 1. The table is formed with an additional set of openings 63 for cooperation with the fastener elements 26 to secure the parts in their shifted position.'V 4

Referring again to Figure 1, it will be noted that the geometry of the machine is such that a line, forming a continuation of the axis 48 of the cylinder, passes midway between the two optional axes of rotation of the table. As a consequence, when the table is rotated in the opposite direction from the one designated by the arrow B to form a left-hand garnish molding frame, the relationship between the point of ap-4 ble of producing a left-handgarnish molding frame. i

What I claim as'my invention is:

1. In a machine for bending strip 'stock to form a closed frame of predetermined longi- `tudinal contour, atemplet frame having a side laforesaid of the templet frame, means for rotating the te'mplet frame relative to the'compressible means to effect a bending of the strip of stock around said contour surface of the templet frame, and means for adjusting-the templet framein the plane of the same to vary the position of the axis of rotation'of the templet frame relative tothe line of action of the force applied against the stock by said compressib means.

2. Ina machine for bending strip stock to a predetermined longitudinal contour, a revoluble templet provided with a side surface having a shape corresponding t'o said predetermined longitudinal contour, compressible means cooperating with the side surface of the templet to clamp a strip of stock against said surface and positioned to apply'the clamping pressure on a line offset fromthe axis of rotation of the templet in the plane of rotation of the latter, means for rotating the templet in opposite directions relative to the compressible means, and means for adjusting the templet in the plane ci rotation of the sameto maintain a corresponding relation between the line of action of the compressible means and axis of rotation of the templet irrespective of the direction of rotation of said templet.

3. In a machine for bending strip stock to form a substantially closed :frame of predetermined longitudinal contour, a revoluble templet frame having a shape corresponding to said predetermined longitudinal contour, a member positioned opposite the templet frame and cooperating with the latter to yieldably clamp` a strip of stock therebetween, compressible means acting on said member to maintain a clamping pressure on the stock during rotation of the templet and positioned to apply said clamping pressure on a line offset from the axis of rotation of the templet in the plane of rotation of the latter, means for rotating the templet frame in opposite directions relative to the member to edect bending of the strip`5f stock around the templet frame, and a support for the templet frame adjustable to selectively locate the axis of rotation of the templet frame on opposite sides of the line of force exerted by the compressible means to maintain a corresponding relation between the axis of rotation of the templet frame and line of force irrespective of the direction of rotation of said frame.

4. In a machine for bending strip stock to a predetermined longitudinal contour, a templet frame rotatable in one direction about one axis and rotatable in the opposite direction about another axis spaced laterally frcm the axis aforesaid, a member positioned opposite the templet frame and cooperating with the latter to yieldably clamp a strip of stock therebetween, and compressible means exerting a pressure on said member along aline extending between the two axes of rotation of the templet frame and in a direction to maintain a clamping pressure on the stock during rotation of the templet.

the table, means for rotating the table including 5. In a machine for bending strip stock to a predetermined longitudinal contour, a revoluble templet having a side surface'corresponding in shape to said predetermined longitudinal contour, a member positioned opposite the side surface of thev templet and cooperating with the latter to yieldably clamp a strip of stock therebetween, compressible means exerting a pressure on said member along a line oil'set from the axis of rotation of` the templet in the plane of the same and in a direction opposite the direction of rotation, and means for adjusting the templet in the plane of rotation of the same to locate the axis of rotation on the opposite side of the line of iorce applied to the templet by said compressible means.

- 6. In a machine for bending'strip stock to a predetermined longitudinal contour, a templet selectively rotatable in opposite directions about axes spaced from each other, a member positioned opposite the templet and cooperating with the latter to yieldably clamp a strip of stock therebetween, compressible means acting on the member to maintain a clamping pressure on the stock during rotation of the templet and applying said pressure along a line extending midway between the alternative axes of rotation of the templet, and common means for rotating the templetabout either of said axes.

7. In a machine for bending strip stock to a. predetermined longitudinal contour. a table supported for rotation in opposite directions, a templet secured to one side of the table and having a side surface corresponding in shape to said predetermined longitudinal contour, a member positioned opposite` the templet and cooperatingl with the latter to yieldably clamp a strip of stock therebetween, compressible means acting ony said member to maintain a clamping pressure on the stock during rotation of the table and adapted to exert said clamping pressure on a line laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the table in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of' a gear secured tothe opposite side of the table in concentric relation to the axis of rotation of said table, a pinion meshing with said gear, and means supporting said table'for swinging movement about the axis of the pinion to locate the axis of rotation of the table on the opposite side of the line of force when the table is rotated in the other direction.

8. Ixr a machine for bending strip stock to a. predetermined longitudinal contour, a table revoluble in opposite directions, a templet frame secured'to one sidelof the table with the side walls non-symmetrically arranged with respect to the axis of rotation of thetable and having a shape corresponding to said predetermined longitudinal contour, a member positioned opposite the templetand cooperating with the latter to yieldably clamp a strip of stock therebetween, compressible means acting on said member to maintain a clamping pressure on the stock during rotation of the templet and adapted to apply said clamping pressure on a line laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the table in a. direction opposite the direction of rotation of said table, a gear secured to the oppositeside of the table in concentric relation to the axisl of rotation of the latter, a driving pinion meshing with said gear for rotating thevtable, and means for swinging the table about the axis of the driving pinion to locate the axis of rotation of the table on the 'opposite side of the line of force of said compressible means when thetable is rotated in the other direction.

9. In a machine for bendingstri'p stock to a predetermined longitudinal contour, a templet selectively rotatable in opposite directions and provided with a side surface having a shape corresponding to saidv predetermined longitudinal contour, compressible means cooperating with the sidesurface of the templet to clamp a strip.

of stock against said surface and positioned to apply the clamping pressure on a line offset from the axis of rotation of the templet in the plane of rotation of the same, and means for relatively adjusting the position of the templet and compressible means in the plane of rotation of the templet to maintain a corresponding relation between the line of action of 'the compressible means and axis of rotation of the templet for diierent directions of rotation of the templet.

ALLEN R. KEISO. 

